Mina Lay

Hi Ed, I can’t thank you enough for your response and the helpful information that you have provided. I haven’t had the opportunity to return to Timor Leste (having come to Australia as a one year old) so it was very moving for me to read those descriptions and to see the map drawings of where both my grandparents and my father grew up. It also helps me to visualise a bit more the settings my grandma describes to me when she talks about her childhood and what they experienced. I’m truly touched and eternally grateful for the research you have done and the information that you have provided. There is so much history and I’m appreciative that organisations like these exists so we can gain insight into what life was like during these times and to continue to learn about the sacrifices made for the life and freedom that we enjoy today. I also truly hope to maybe one day make a connection with any families of those who served time in these towns as that part of our shared history. Thank you, Mina Lay

Hello, This is a long shot but I’m interested in getting information and possibly in touch with any families of soldiers who were in Bobonaro and Atsabe (Timor Leste). My grandma’s parents (Chinese Timorese) regularly cooked and fed some Australian troops (they came in groups of 3 to 10) in Bobonaro. My grandma was only young at the time and she remembers an older solider who came every morning for a while for coffee. One of the soldier’s gave her parents some small scissors, I’m guessing to say thank you, which we still have today. My grandma’s house was bombed by the Japanese troops and they lost everything but they fortunately survived as they had ran into hiding when they heard the planes coming. My grandpa (who has passed away) and his family were in Atsabe and they used to cook and feed the Australian troops there. I would love to obtain more information or even possibly hear from any families of soldiers who were in these towns. Thanks, Mina